Spotlight on Humanities in Sustainability Studies | Protecting Brown Ash for Forest Ecosystems and Cultural Sustainability

We invite you to attend a panel discussion with the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW) featuring Tyler Everett and Ella McDonald. The discussion will be moderated by MWM Director Meghan Doherty.

As the invasive emerald ash borer begins to spread through the Northeast, an effort called the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW), led by University of Maine School of Forest Resources Professor and Penobscot Nation Tribal member Dr. John Daigle, is mobilizing stakeholders across the Dawnland to protect the long term future of ash. Wabanaki people have had a relationship to brown ash trees since time immemorial: this tree plays a role in one of their creation stories, and is used as the primary material for traditional basketmaking. The spread of EAB threatens this relationship as well as the health of wetland ecosystems. In this session, three APCAW graduate students will discuss their collaborative efforts with Tribal, state, and conservation partners to protect brown ash from emerald ash borer in the Dawnland. Participants will learn how to get involved in monitoring, ash management, and seed collection, in ways that are informed by both current research and Wabanaki priorities.

Speaker Bios

Tyler Everett: Tyler (he/him) is a citizen of Mi’kmaq Nation. His research prioritizes methodologies that result in Tribal led science. He is a PhD student in the School of Forest Resources here at the University of Maine and his current research focuses on the impacts of emerald ash borer (EAB) on Tribal ash resources and identifying innovative management and mitigation strategies for this forest health issue that Tribal Nation partners support and have interest in better understanding.

Ella McDonald: Ella (she/they) is a non-native Master’s student in Ecology and Environmental Science. With a background in organizing partnerships between conservation groups and Tribal Nations to facilitate land returns, Ella’s interests lie in how to facilitate respectful and effective cross-cultural collaborations for the future of land, forests, and water. Their research questions explore how APCAW can develop effective communication tools to enhance our efforts.

This is a hybrid event. Register HERE to receive a Zoom link.